So many thoughtful details go into planning the perfect wedding day: the dress, the décor, the vows. But let’s face it, most of those things will only live on in the memories of the bride, the groom, and their entourage after everyone’s gone home.
If you want to make a lasting impression on your guests, something that will have them talking for weeks to come, speak to their appetites by serving up one of the best feasts this province has to offer.
Two local chefs have been catering weddings for so many years that it’s pretty safe to say they rank among the best around. Either Danny’s Whole Hog Barbecue or Pioneer Catering will wow your guests with their seasoned culinary expertise and delicious flavour profiles. Whether it’s indoor or outdoor, black tie or kicking-back-and-having-fun, these caterers are as versatile in their cooking skills as they are in their menu options.
“We cater 90 to 100 weddings per year,” says chef Pete Schellenberg of Pioneer Catering. “We also do an additional 25 to 30 other functions [throughout the year]. We make all the [dishes] from scratch in our commercial kitchen and are proud to source as many items as possible locally. We also take pride in the fact that the food is delivered straight from the oven [to your event] and served hot.”
For the past 30 years, Chef Pete and his catering team have delivered on flavour with some of their most requested entrees, including saucy meatballs, stuffed chicken breasts, and beef tenderloin. A wide selection of sides and desserts are available to accompany the mains. Apple crisp, Chef Pete says, is a frequently requested favourite.
Pioneer Catering takes care of virtually every dinner detail, providing the dishes, coffee, punch, and staff to set and clear the tables and manage the buffet line efficiently. Guests of honour at the head table are served family-style with a smile.
“For the full service that we provide, clients are getting a really good bang for their buck,” Chef Pete says, adding that clients won’t see a lot of add-on costs when they book with Pioneer Catering.
Danny’s Whole Hog Barbecue is a family-owned business with 18 years of experience in the catering industry. Their year-round food service specializes in weddings and large events, and their most requested entrée is the one that’s made them famous: an entire hog barbecued to mouth-watering perfection.
For adventurous event hosts, Danny’s also offers a do-it-yourself whole hog option, providing the equipment, a marinated hog, and full instructions so you can impress your guests and take all the credit.
But Danny’s wouldn’t dream of limiting themselves to just pork. Other barbecued meat choices include beef, turkey, prime rib, steak, chicken, and ribs. And any of these mains can be complemented with perogies, cabbage rolls, meatballs, and a variety of salads and desserts.
“If you are planning ahead or booking short notice, we will make it happen,” says marketing director Deanne Miller. “The customer is always our priority. Our business strives to treat customers well and our goal is to make all our events a success.”
Danny’s catering manager works with clients to customize their entrées to the event and even provides choices for guests with dietary restrictions. Prices, too, can be customized to fit any budget, whether you’re hosting a casual backyard shindig or a formal event complete with a carving chef.
“Our delicious meats are the best you can find,” Miller says. It’s just one of the reasons the company can boast the motto “We’ll bring the flavour!”
